Amelia Heath

Amelia Heath

Director

Amelia has worked for the Forth Rivers Trust since 2017, initially as the Finance Manager until expanding her role to include project development and project management. Since 2021 Amelia has been managing climate resilience projects in the Trust’s area of the Loch Lomond Trossachs National Park, including the Upper Teith SAC.  She also leads the Trust on nature finance, including its pilot nature finance project, Loch Leven LENs.  In 2023, Amelia was appointed Co-Director of the Trust, before becoming the Director in July 2025.

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Jacquelyn Johnson

Jacquelyn Johnson

Deputy Director

Jacquelyn Johnson (BSc Hons, MCIEEM) joined the Trust in June 2019 to manage Forth Rivers Consulting, the trading arm of Forth Rivers Trust. She has a background in ecological and environmental consultancy, having worked in the private sector for 10 years on a wide range of commercial, residential, and renewable energy projects. Jacquelyn is an experienced project manager and ecologist, working with clients and building lasting partnerships. Jacquelyn chairs the Trust’s ethics committee; leads on health and safety; and in her new role as Deputy Director, assists Amelia in the strategic management of the Trust.

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Amy Fergusson

Amy Fergusson

Head of Science & Monitoring

Amy has a degree in Animal Biology and Conservation and has worked in the Trust Network for over 14 years with a previous stint at the Nith Catchment Fishery Trust. The main interest and focal point of her work is in the conservation and protection of freshwater habitats and fisheries, and she sits as the Head of the Science and Monitoring Department for the Trust. She is experienced in planning and implementing scientific projects, a wide range of ecological surveys and fieldwork for the delivery of Trust projects and has also co-managed Forth Rivers Consulting to provide consultancy services to clients in both the public and private sector.

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Grace Wilding

Grace Wilding

Head of Operations

Grace manages a broad variety of projects across the Forth Catchment which include developing large scale restoration projects, and delivering a variety of restoration approaches, such as riverbank protection using willow spilling, wetland creation, tree planting and barrier easement along with INNS surveying and control. She has extensive experience in community, landowner and stakeholder engagement. Grace holds licenses for electrofishing, handheld pesticide application near watercourses and stem injection as well as bailiff certification.

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Charlotte Neary

Charlotte Neary

Project Manager

Charlotte has a BSc in Geography and a MSc in Environmental Protection and Management from Edinburgh University.  She is a skilled leader of conservation projects with a special interest in plant biodiversity. As a Senior Project Officer with Forth Rivers Trust she delivers projects that improve rivers and their catchments across the Forth. These projects include aspects of Peatland Restoration, Natural Flood Management, INNS Control, riparian and in-stream habitat improvement. Working in partnership with NatureScot and The Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, she is also the Trust’s main contact for the EU funded project MERLIN. This project combines 17 case studies from across Europe with an aim to implement transformative freshwater ecosystem restoration on a large scale.

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Catherine Wright

Catherine Wright

Project Manager

Cat has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Glasgow, and has since worked in practical delivery and management of conservation projects throughout Devon, Hertfordshire, and Scotland – in ranger and conservation manager roles. Cat has experience of INNS control, community and stakeholder engagement, environmental education, freshwater habitat restoration, and development of nature networks. She is passionate about restoring natural landscapes and aims to support landowners and communities to transform the landscapes around them to benefit wildlife and people.

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Michiel Voermans

Michiel Voermans

Data & GIS Officer

Michiel (Mike) joined the team in 2021 to get on top of data the Trust has collected over the years. In 2018 he did an internship at the Trust where he combined his knowledge from his BSc International Land and Water Management with his skills from his MSc in Geo-Information Science (GIS), both finished at Wageningen University. By introducing and keeping the organisation up to speed with the latest (geo-)information collection, analysis, management, and presentation methods, he has enabled the Trust to jump on more opportunities ever since.

Carolyn Levy

Carolyn Levy

Finance & Admin Officer

Carolyn joined the Trust in 2022 and supports staff across day-to-day operations, project delivery, and consultancy work. She now plays a key role in managing financial processes, including monthly reporting, cashflow oversight, and tracking project-related expenditure. Carolyn also assists with financial record keeping for Forth Rivers Consulting Ltd.  She obtained her Bachelor Degree with honours in Environmental Science from The Open University in 2022. With a background in education and a strong interest in environmental issues, Carolyn enjoys being involved in the ‘Fish in the Classroom’ project, where her interests in learning and conservation come together to support young people’s understanding of the importance of rivers and their ecosystems.

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Rachel Smillie

Rachel Smillie

Senior Land Management Advisor

Rachel joined the Trust in 2024 as a project manager for the Leven Landscape Enterprise Network (LENs) project. She has a BSc in Environmental Protection, an MSc in Sustainable Water Environments, and a professional background in environmental consultancy for the rural sector. She has a keen interest in Scotland’s natural capital, the benefits we receive from it, and how it can be managed to further improve catchment resilience. Her role in the trust within the Leven LENs project is to work with land managers, communities, and private organisations to establish the first Landscape Enterprise Network in Scotland.

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Clara Schade-Poulsen

Clara Schade-Poulsen

Senior Project Officer

Clara joined the Trust in January 2024 to contribute to the Leven LENs project, a landscape restoration project. She thrives where disciplines intersect, a trait reflected in her varied professional background. Clara holds a BA in Social Anthropology and Politics, has worked in climate change consultancy and regenerative farming, and co-founded a community-led urban agriculture project. This experience has enhanced her systems thinking skills and provided her with a broad understanding of sustainable practices. In her current role, Clara leads the community engagement efforts for the Leven LENs project, where her knowledge of diverse land uses and stakeholder interactions is very helpful. 

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James Roome

James Roome

Sustainable Land Management Advisor

James joined the Trust in July 2025 as a Sustainable Land Management Advisor. With a background in Environmental Science at the University of Southampton finished in 2018, he has since worked in catchment monitoring and management from environmental consultancy to Natural England as a River Itchen (SSSI & SAC) Officer/Freshwater Lead Advisor for casework with Portsmouth Water and Southern Water, and then United Utilities as a catchment advisor before moving up to Scotland. For his role he will be working with farmers and landowners in the catchment to help them implement nature-friendly and climate-resilient land management practices that bring environmental benefits whilst supporting thriving businesses.

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Niall Provan

Niall Provan

Project Officer

Niall joined the Trust as Project Support Officer in May 2021. Niall studied Countryside Management at SRUC Oatridge, as well as gained practical conservation experience working and volunteering as part of the Callander’s Landscape Partnership, where he achieved his Modern Apprenticeship in Environmental Conservation. Niall is a member of the Lantra Champions initiative, after achieving multiple awards at the 2021 Lantra Awards. Part of the EU MERLIN delivery team as a Project Officer, he’s focusing on the delivery of projects on the Allan Water along with the upper Teith.

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Fergus McFarlane

Fergus McFarlane

Ecologist

Fergus joined the team in March 2024 as an Ecologist. With a background in Environmental Geography at the University of Stirling, he volunteered with the Trust during his undergraduate degree carrying out electrofishing and green engineering on the Allan Water. He has returned to the Forth catchment area after previously working at Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust. Experienced in restoration projects, invasive plant management and freshwater biology, Fergus is involved with all aspects of FRT’s work which improves the habitats for fish and boosts local biodiversity. He is a key part of monitoring projects with the science team, highlighting the importance of the Trust’s work for the safe future of our freshwater environments.

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Dan McMeel

Dan McMeel

Ecologist

Dan joined the Trust’s Science Team as an Ecologist in July 2025. He has a BSc in Zoology from Glasgow University and experience working on conservation projects ranging from bird and mammal surveys to practical habitat management.
At the Trust, Dan is involved in ecological surveys and monitoring, reporting, and supporting practical restoration works such as wetland creation and tree planting. He is particularly motivated by improving biodiversity through habitat restoration and conservation.

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Elijah Graham

Elijah Graham

Project & Communications Officer

Eli joined the Trust in April 2023 as part of the ‘New to Nature’ placement. He studied BSc Environmental Science and Outdoor Education at Stirling University, and has a keen interest in habitat restoration practices, and nature spaces supporting mental and physical health. Eli captures and shares the project work undertaken by staff, undertakes practical work such as tree planting and invasive species control, and delivers both public and external engagement, including the Trust’s ‘Fish in the Classroom’ project. He is keen to collaborate, build knowledge, and help people and communities support their local river.

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Mario Palomo

Mario Palomo

Project Officer

Mario joined the Trust in April 2023 as a Project Officer. Originating from Spain, he moved to Scotland in 2017, and has since fallen for the Scottish landscape. Mario completed an HNC/HND in Wildlife & Conservation Management in 2022 from SRUC Aberdeen. His role in the Trust is to help develop and deliver projects, offering assistance when required, with the aim of learning and acquiring as much experience as possible.

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Magnus Clements

Magnus Clements

Project Officer

Magnus joined the Trust in April 2023 as a Project officer. He gained his Bachelors degree (Bsc) in Biology from Newcastle University before joining the conservation team at Northumberland Wildlife Trust. He then moved north to work with Forth Rivers Trust. Magnus will primarily be based in the Upper Teith catchment, carrying out practical conservation tasks and assisting with project delivery across the Trust. 

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The Trust also has some consultants currently working on projects and activities.

Scot Muir

Scot Muir

Project Support Contractor

Scot joined the Trust in October 2018 after working for 36 years with a world leading medical device manufacturer. He was the maintenance and reliability lead with responsibilities for health and safety and apprentice mentoring. Scot was introduced to the Trust through his involvement with his local angling association and various volunteering activities. He is keen to continue developing his skills following his role during the Riverlife Project as Project and Education Contractor.

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Scott Robertson

Scott Robertson

Capital Works Manager Contractor

Scott has an MA(Hons) and Dip Arch from Edinburgh University, he is a chartered architect and building engineer and member of several professional bodies.  He specialises in construction project management, including feasibility studies, specialist reports, procurement and contract administration.  Within the Riverlife project, he played a vital part in the procurement and appointment of consultants and contractors and engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders.

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Alan Tragis

Alan Tragis

Project Support Contractor

Alan joined the Trust in Jan 2022 after 38 years within the medical device and life sciences industries. He has a BEng(Hons) in Engineering and has been the engineering lead on a range of significant projects including the implementation and improvement of new processes & products. Alan is a trout and salmon fisher and his keen interest in rivers and river life lead him to the Trust. He has a continuous improvement ethos, has worked closely with a number of regulatory bodies, and uses his experience to support the Trust in delivering key projects.

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Forth Rivers Trust is also governed by a board of Trustees.

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